Kohima, September 17 (MExN): The Department of School Education has reiterated its appeal to the agitating RMSA 2016 batch teachers to call off their protest and resume duties, while informing that the matter is currently under judicial review.
In a press release issued today, the Department stated that the RMSA teachers were engaged on February 9, 2016 by the Nagaland Education Mission Society (NEMS) after signing contractual terms through “Bond Affidavit” and “Declaration Affidavit,” making their appointment co-terminus with the scheme. Their salary was fixed at Rs 31,315 per month, subject to fund release from the Ministry of Education.
Following the merger of RMSA, SSA and Teacher Education into Samagra Shiksha in 2018–19, financial support for teachers’ salaries was reduced to Rs 25,000. The State Government issued office memorandums in August 2018, but the 2016 batch refused to accept the revised terms and approached the Gauhati High Court, Kohima Bench.
The High Court, in its order dated March 16, 2022, directed the government to grant scale pay of Rs 9,300–34,800 with Grade Pay of Rs 4,200. The State Government appealed to the Supreme Court, but its Special Leave Petition was dismissed on May 20, 2025.
A review petition was subsequently filed on August 14, 2025 and the final judgment is awaited.
The Department further highlighted that since 2022–23, the Centre has progressively reduced its funding support under Samagra Shiksha by 5% annually.
In 2025–26, this support has dropped by 25%, from Rs 25,000 to Rs 18,750, leaving the State to bear an additional 40% of the burden.
Meanwhile, meetings were held on September 2-3 and again on September 11 with the teachers, ANSTA representatives, Samagra Shiksha and Education Department officials.
The Department maintained that it has the constitutional right to approach the higher court for review, while assuring that the government will “in utmost seriousness consider all the demands of the teachers once the court hearing takes place.”
It appealed to the teachers to “wait for the court’s disposal, resume their duties, and not disrupt the academic welfare of students.”
